Saturday, June 28, 2008

We Love Golf : Wii Review

The Skinny:

Great game, colorful graphics. Simple control method, online play. Cool Interface. 

The Not-So-Skinny:

Quite a lot of fun. When We Love Golf was originally released in Japan, it lacked online play - well, now it has it :) The game has great, colorful graphics, a nice and simple control method and quite a few courses and characters to go through with a whole lot of unlockables. The sound is quite possibly the only weak spot in an otherwise great package - but in a golf game, well, that's not a huge complaint. The game is also very, very user friendly. Rather than flip through camera and shooting modes tediously as in Super Swing Golf - the mode switches intelligently based on how you're holding the wii-mote. Upwards shows a plan of the field, level positioning allows you to aim your show, and when you tilt the wii-mote downwards, you're ready to shoot - a system that is both transparent and brilliant.

If there's any problem with the game, it's that the first playable levels are a bit too easy, and the putting could've been made a bit more challenging. Otherwise, the addition of online play is a very welcome addition to what was already a great game.

Ratings:

  • Gameplay 8/10
  • Graphics 8/10
  • Sound 7/10
  • Longevity 8/10
  • Multiplayer 8/10

If you've got a Wii and like golf, get this now :)

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Top Spin 3 : Wii Review

The Skinny:

Not too bad, but disappointing in many ways. Not the tennis game Wii've all been waiting for since Wii first played Wii Sports Tennis.

The Not-So-Skinny:

Better than the far too random and unresponsive Sega Superstars Tennis, but some control issues and a basic lack of polish and the glaring lack of online play all contribute to an overall unspectacular game. It'll tide you over if you're aching for a 'realistic' Wii tennis game, but you'll have to live with several faults.

There's a lack of polish overall, and the difference between general court mechanics and near-the-net controls makes for frustrating moments.

Ratings:

  • Gameplay 7/10
  • Graphics 6/10
  • Sound 5/10
  • Longevity 6/10
  • Multiplayer 7/10

It's a tennis fix, not a tennis solution.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Alone In The Dark : Wii Review

The Skinny:

Well, a lot of people have been waiting a long time for this - so let me save you some time - it's disappointing. Yup - that's the short of it.

The Not-So-Skinny:

The gameplay is a mix of 3rd person action adventure and 1st person shooter with some platform elements thrown in. The controls, despite showing some potential, aren't that tight. The graphics are very PS2-like, and quite unspectacular. 

The biggest problem is that the gameplay is FULL of "WRONG MOVE, YOU'RE DEAD!" moments, saved only by somewhat reasonable checkpoints. 

Ratings:

  • Gameplay 5/10
  • Graphics 6/10
  • Sound 7/10
  • Longevity 6/10
  • Multiplayer N/A

Avoid.